Abstract: A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a biasing mechanism that, when engaged by the latch mechanism, simultaneously biases the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. The biasing mechanism provides dual damping rates.

Abstract: A multistage jounce bumper, including a jounce bumper cushion integrated with a hydraulic jounce bumper, wherein provided are the damping characteristic of the hydraulic jounce bumper and the damping/spring characteristics of a jounce bumper cushion. The hydraulic jounce bumper hydraulic response is tunable via adjustment of hydraulic flow with respect to a communicating hydraulic fluid reservoir. When maximum jounce is approached, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a first stage, with the jounce bumper cushion, then at a predetermined compression, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a second stage, with the hydraulic jounce bumper. Thereafter, a mechanical abutment is provided as a third stage of jounce management.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for securing a component to a base on a vehicle. The component has a first longitudinal lip extending along a first side thereof and a second longitudinal lip extending along a second side substantially opposite the first side. The mounting apparatus comprises an elongate track assembly configured to be fixedly coupled to the base and having first and second edge sections. The first edge section is configured to secure the first lip, and the second edge section is configured to form a wall. A wedge assembly is coupled to the track assembly for engaging the wall and the second lip to secure the component on the track assembly.

Abstract: A reduced-corrosion assembly includes a first and a second component joined by a fastener having a head and a body. A coating covers a section of the body. The assembly also includes a washer, a compression limiter, and a nut arranged on the first component and adapted to engage the fastener body to thereby tighten the assembly. When the assembly is tightened, the compression limiter is arranged on the fastener body between the first and second components, while the second component is arranged on the fastener body between the compression limiter and the washer. Furthermore, the washer is arranged on the fastener body between the fastener head and the second component, while the coating covers the body substantially up to where the nut engages the body such that corrosion of the assembly is limited or reduced. A vehicle employing the reduced-corrosion fastening system is also provided.

Abstract: A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.

Abstract: Dampers for vehicle suspensions include a housing comprising a tube attached to a wheel axle of a vehicle and a piston rod extending from a piston within the tube and attached to the vehicle body. The piston divides the tube into first and second chambers. In order to damp responses when minor smooth road imperfections impart low force excitations to the wheel of the vehicle, a fluid bypass passageway in the form of a sleeve is positioned around the tube and overlies the piston. This provides second stage quasi-ideal damping at low force excitations to the wheels and thus to the wheel axles of the vehicle. The sleeve communicates with the first and second chambers through metered orifices or valves. As low force excitations from smooth road imperfections displace fluid within the tube through the metered orifices or valves, the orifices damp responses to the low force excitations, thereby smoothing the ride of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a battery comprises a tray including a support surface, a recess having a elevation that is lower than an elevation of the support surface, ribs located in the recess and extending to the elevation of the support surface, thermal insulation supported on the ribs and the upper surface, and a battery contacting the insulation and supported on the ribs and the support surface.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for securing a component to a base on a vehicle. The component has a first longitudinal lip extending along a first side thereof and a second longitudinal lip extending along a second side substantially opposite the first side. The mounting apparatus comprises an elongate track assembly configured to be fixedly coupled to the base and having first and second edge sections. The first edge section is configured to secure the first lip, and the second edge section is configured to form a wall. A wedge assembly is coupled to the track assembly for engaging the wall and the second lip to secure the component on the track assembly.

Abstract: A decoupled mono tube damper assembly includes an outer tube attached to a vehicle's unsprung mass. The outer tube has a base and a sleeve end. An outer tube sleeve engaging end of an inner tube is slidingly engaged with the sleeve end. The inner tube has an end distal to the sleeve engaging end, and is attached to the vehicle's sprung mass at the distal end. A damper rod has one opposed end extending axially into a base aperture, and an opposed end connecting to the inner tube. The rod moves axially relative to the outer tube. A low amplitude energy-managing member is operatively disposed within the outer tube, and has a throughbore receiving the rod. A travel-limiting member attaches to the rod and is engageable with the energy-managing member to constrain axial movement of the rod through the outer tube base to a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An hydraulic ride bushing having improved damping at the end of its travel. In various aspects thereof to provide the improved damping at the end of bushing travel: the external snubbers are composed entirely of polyurethane; the abutment portions of the external snubbers are composed of polyurethane; the external snubbers are provided with a plurality of convolutes; the external snubbers are composed of a dual durometer composition; an internal snubber is added between an hydraulic damper and an outer cylindrical shell; an hydraulic lock is provided at the hydraulic damper; and an external hydraulic damper is provided which is disposed externally with respect to the outer cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A multistage jounce bumper, including a jounce bumper cushion integrated with a hydraulic jounce bumper, wherein provided are the damping characteristic of the hydraulic jounce bumper and the damping/spring characteristics of a jounce bumper cushion. The hydraulic jounce bumper hydraulic response is tunable via adjustment of hydraulic flow with respect to a communicating hydraulic fluid reservoir. When maximum jounce is approached, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a first stage, with the jounce bumper cushion, then at a predetermined compression, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a second stage, with the hydraulic jounce bumper. Thereafter, a mechanical abutment is provided as a third stage of jounce management.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be mounted to one end of a strut in the suspension system. The housing has a chamber with fluid therein. The damper assembly also includes at least one diaphragm extending across the chamber to react with the fluid, to be compliant at relatively small displacements, and to be rigid at relatively large displacements.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be mounted to one end of a strut in the suspension system. The housing has a chamber with fluid therein. The damper assembly also includes at least one diaphragm extending across the chamber to react with the fluid, to be compliant at relatively small displacements, and to be rigid at relatively large displacements.

Abstract: The ability of a damper to attenuate smooth road shake in a vehicle is tested using a test fixture that is controlled by inputting data for periodic low amplitude periodic excitations having a selected frequency range, selected amplitude range and a selected dither representative of vehicle operation on relatively smooth roads. The selected frequency range is about 5 Hz to 30 Hz and the selected amplitude range is about 0.05 mm to 2.00 mm. A preferred frequency is about 15 Hz which is applied preferably for about 200 cycles in a series of separate tests at individual amplitudes of, for example, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mm. The damper is tested to produce low amplitude test results comprising displacement, force and velocity parameters, measured as functions of time.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a pressure relief valve (12) for relieving air pressure from a passenger compartment (76) of a vehicle (66). The pressure relief valve (12) enables airflow from the passenger compartment (76) to atmosphere (78). The apparatus (10) also includes a member (14) for reducing noise entering the passenger compartment (76) as a result of a backflow of air through the pressure relief valve (12) from atmosphere (78) to the passenger compartment (76). The member (14) includes structure (112, 114) for attaching the member (14) to the pressure relief valve (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a pressure relief valve (12) for relieving air pressure from a passenger compartment (76) of a vehicle (66). The pressure relief valve (12) enables airflow from the passenger compartment (76) to atmosphere (78). The apparatus (10) also includes a member (14) for reducing noise entering the passenger compartment (76) as a result of a backflow of air through the pressure relief valve (12) from atmosphere (78) to the passenger compartment (76). The member (14) includes structure (112, 114) for attaching the member (14) to the pressure relief valve (12).